SOP for webbing loading

[grabie_bis]

hi, need some suggestions...my unit has recently been issued with a new webbing design. it has almost twice the capacity than the previous one (two years old). our SOPs are not updated yet, so... what does your unit SOPs say about it? my idea is to carry everything needed for 24 hrs.
thx in advance... BTW i belong to Spanish Legion.

[KalleBalleSvartSk@lle]

I used to carry whatever I thought I needed, within the next 24h (timeframe varied a bit).
The mags, spare ammo in boxes, a couple of 40mm grenades, the tools and cleaning stuff for the rifle, a medic bag, protective mask, water bottle, some extra food, ciggarettes/snuff, rain cloathes, and a parka, aspirins, paper, pens, wire, a knife, extra water, even more food, face paint, and extra clothes, wire, and couple of plastic bags.

[grabie_bis]

standards in my unit stands for 5 clips (150 rounds) how many did you usually carry? how does your webbing looks like or what is it composed of? looks quite capable as far as youve written...

[Marsuitor]

Toilet paper definately. I've you've got them, a couple of US MRE heaters are nice and take little space. A little flashlight can be helpful, either red-light or with a filter accessible. Might want some extra batteries for whatever kit you're using (GPS, torch, RTO). Other than that, can't think of that much more, Kalle pretty much listed it...

[Simpen]

Id suggest a green-filter on the flashlight. Red color tend to wash out the colors on maps making them all black-ish...

[KalleBalleSvartSk@lle]

standards in my unit stands for 5 clips (150 rounds) how many did you usually carry? how does your webbing looks like or what is it composed of? looks quite capable as far as youve written...
We had four mags+120rds in boxes at that time, I belive everyone gets eight now. But otherwise we carried as much as we got.

[grabie_bis]

new webbing looks like this...

http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TACNAm4VQhQkmZh7WuJzuX1xGormng1T4FqV*O88Qla9gXdTb5!SYqqKdlruMVkqxt7gqehO0bX99nh8ymeATVHZDPh10Bk3CVwSCeEGqKdIUe5neaG0eQ/OK%20ENG%20JPG.jpg?dc=4675470970447775982

hope its clear enough.

[Royal]

Id suggest a green-filter on the flashlight. Red color tend to wash out the colors on maps making them all black-ish...

You can't read contours either...

Then again with a green filter you can't see woodland...

So go for pinpoint white light.

[Michael RVR]

And then you wont be able to see anything else after as it wrecks your night vision, no easy solution.

I don't think my unit has SOP's as to what to put in your webbing, of course ammunition and water, cleaning kit but apart from that its what you want to carry.

There is a saying though, Live with whats in your pack, fight with whats in your webbing, survive on whats in your pockets. ;)

[KalleBalleSvartSk@lle]

And then you wont be able to see anything else after as it wrecks your night vision, no easy solution.

I don't think my unit has SOP's as to what to put in your webbing, of course ammunition and water, cleaning kit but apart from that its what you want to carry.

There is a saying though, Live with whats in your pack, fight with whats in your webbing, survive on whats in your pockets. ;)

I could say that I didn't carry even half of the stuff recomended in the FM, things like rubber boots, helmet, stretcher, the mess kit, etc was stuff I never used.

[KalleBalleSvartSk@lle]

And then you wont be able to see anything else after as it wrecks your night vision, no easy solution.

I don't think my unit has SOP's as to what to put in your webbing, of course ammunition and water, cleaning kit but apart from that its what you want to carry.

There is a saying though, Live with whats in your pack, fight with whats in your webbing, survive on whats in your pockets. ;)

I could say that I didn't carry even half of the stuff recomended in the FM, things like rubber boots, helmet, stretcher, the mess kit, etc was stuff I never used.
Sometimes I carried more stuff but mostly only when we suspected things to last longer than usual.

[Royal]

And then you wont be able to see anything else after as it wrecks your night vision, no easy solution.

Rubish. A pinpoint (and I mean one pinhole in a piece of gaffer tape) will not wreck your night vision, unless you shine it in your eyes. I shine it on the map...

[Upfrontreporting]

Simpen wrote:
Id suggest a green-filter on the flashlight. Red color tend to wash out the colors on maps making them all black-ish...


You can't read contours either...

Then again with a green filter you can't see woodland...

So go for pinpoint white light.


Either pinpoint white light or an amber colored filter, the colored filter lets you see all the colors on your map also.



regards
Upfrontreporting

[digrar]

I used a pin prick on my maglight. No dramas.
I used to keep black tape and zip ties in my webbing, mini med kit (just some panadol, bandaids and alcho swabs) toggle rope and a stretcher top among other things.

[shrek]

We always went from a “fight from your web gear out” viewpoint. Like someone’s saying above said’ “live with what’s in your pack, fight with what’s on your webbing. (I really like that BTW, wrote that one down)

Worst case scenario: You make contact and have to drop your ruck and run for the hills. What do you need? The basics, which I will not explain here because everyone knows them (ammo, radio, yada yada).

Things that I always forgot until I learned better:

Water! Can’t live without it, you probably won’t need much, but dehydration will knock your **** off especially when your adrenalines flowing like a river.

Food? Probably the last thing that you will be thinking about but one candy bar might get you over the ridge at first light!

Batteries to whatever you really need i.e. flashlight, radio, IR strobe, Weapon site.

Wire ties! Wire ties? Yes, wire ties. Black, and big enough to hold a mans wrists. You can fix a busted sling or shoulder strap in seconds, tie up an asshole and make him incapable of hurting you anymore while you drive on, and, in really extreme cases, can be used to tourniquet a missing limb or bad bleeder (I know medics, don’t pound me on this one).

Multi-tool, Gerber type. I can’t give you details, but having this little jewel was a true “life saver” on one occasion. It can be used for all of the obvious purposes as well as un-assembling a hopelessly jammed crew weapon, building impromptu ****y traps as well as a host of other goodies.


550 cord! Do I really need to go through all of it’s uses, NO!

If I think of anymore I will write it down. I’m going to look at my vest now cause you got me thinkin’

[zenmaster]

Comm wire works great for about as many uses as zip-ties, 550 cord and duct tape, plus its free. I still carry the other three, but I love comm wire. One of my personal favorite items is a bandanna. If you can't think of ways to use it, you need help.

[SamHamam]

On Belt kit

magazines
bayonet
rifle cleaning kit
waterbottle
mug
purification tablets
shelter (such as gore-tex suit, bivi bag or poncho)
personal medical pack
24 hrs rations
10m para cord
brew kit
compass
2 Karabinas

On person

clasp knife, leatherman or gerber tool
torch (tactically masked)
spare batteries and bulbs
compass
insect repellent
gloves
cam cream
First Field Dressings
waterproof notebook
2 soft lead pencils sharpened at both ends
whistle
spoon
survival tin
mapcase & map(s)
lighter
matches
10m wire
watch

[grabie_bis]

thx for helping! most of the load similar in my unit. some slight differences;

5 magazines plus 60 more cartridges
5 40mm granades for AG-36
3-4 hand granades
1 smoke granade
24h food
individual camouflage net
"water-proof" change of inner clothing (dont know the correct word :oops:)
NBC kit (depending on the situation)
individual camuflage painting kit
comms (BCC349 from racal)
extra batteries (AA)
gps or compass (particular or issued)
plastic stripes for POW

[Marsuitor]

On note of camoflage nets and sleeping bags, these things are simply fantastic. Jerven duk as they're called in Norway. Originally they were made for people who were out hunting in the mountains, but our forces have also been using them for some years now. Also the Danish and French militaries have started to adopt them. Anyways,
they're a range of camoflaged wind and waterproof bags available in different thicknesses. They open up completely with zips on all four sides and can act as anything from a poncho to a sleeping bag. It also has holes on six locations along the edge so you can stick tentpegs through it and use it as a tent. In addition, it has zips on the middle to let you stick your arms out when used as a poncho.
The thinnest one is a non-lined one with an aluminium inside to reflect body heat and keep you warm. It easily fits into a larger webgear pocket or canteen pouch. It lets you cammie up and stay warm at the same time. The thickest one keeps you warm in Norwegian winters, which is quite a feat, and has in quite a few units taken over as standard sleeping bag. Weight is low and they compress well.

I recommend them to anyone in an infantry, or other ground fighting job. The website is http://www.jerven.no. Although their site ATM is Norwegian only, you can probably drop them a mail if you're interested. Their address is: post@jerven.no

[eggroll]

550 cords, at least 25 meters.

Ammunition, Water, no-prep foodbars, mini FAK and SK, a multitool, a fixed blade knife, an LED based clip light (photon or INOVA) with momentary sqeeze and switch functions. Whatever else may be required, like a map out of AORs

Signals kit, radio, cravat among other things.

[Grim]

Hey marcus! I used Jerven for several times. Excellent piece of gear specially the termo version, when sitting in op's or on guard. Trually a life saver, to hunker down in when stopping on patrol's etc..

[Sabre]

apart from ammunition and weapon ancils:

In webbing:

2x issue water bottles
metal mug
emergency hexi blocks (4 blocks, no cooker)
two US 'MRE heaters'
two or three main meals (british 'boilies')
two desserts (no breakfasts, can't stand army beans anymore)
chocolate
brew kit (hot chocolate and tea, no coffee..new healthy living lifestyle!)
puritabs (not in the packets, in an old plastic pill bottle)
survival kit
Millbank filter bag
med kit
chem-lights
15metres mine tape
15meters paracord

On person:

'Tikka' headtorch (red filter for sorting **** out in woods etc)
Minimaglite (with pinpoint white light, for map reading)
swedish 'flod-a-mug'
FFD
cam cream
mozzie cream
sun cream (if applicable, usually not!)
compass
combi tool
spare batteries
spare filter (for head torch)
puritabs
matches
lighter
paracord
earplugs
weapon cleaning kit
wool hat (US issue)
wool headover (UK issue, a truely transatlantic partnership!)
gloves (NI, fingers cut off)
rag (for sweat, weapon, anything)
'sweet bag' (full of boiled sweets, chocolate etc)
several polybags
waterproofed notebook and map
knife lanyarded to trouser pocket

[SABER 2-3]

hi, need some suggestions...my unit has recently been issued with a new webbing design. it has almost twice the capacity than the previous one (two years old). our SOPs are not updated yet, so... what does your unit SOPs say about it? my idea is to carry everything needed for 24 hrs.
thx in advance... BTW i belong to Spanish Legion.

Just because you can carry 2X the load does not mean that you should...
You should consult w/ your command about what will be required for carry (at all times) and what will be mission essential equipment. The gear you carry on your person (non-load bearing carried) should be limited to E&E and "makes life better" gear. Your load bearing equipment or vest should be "things you can't live w/o in a fire fight (short or prolonged) . Your final equipment should be gear that you need to carry out this mission to standard and things that make life much better.

[Marsuitor]

Hey marcus! I used Jerven for several times. Excellent piece of gear specially the termo version, when sitting in op's or on guard. Trually a life saver, to hunker down in when stopping on patrol's etc..

Aye, truly a lifesaver. My 'original' was always in place on me, and it helped me stay warm and dry countless times... Low weight and tiny size = sweet.

:lol: Btw, wtf is up with some of the pictures??? :|

[grabie_bis]

thx saber.
my unit is mechanized so IMHO i should carry in my weabing the things i might need for unmounted assault and consolidation in conventional warfare. in MOUT, things are totally different and i would consider it a permanent E&E.

[Sabre]

Fair enough, my tasking is different so usually keep sufficient kit to last effectively for several days and survive indefinately (if my skills were up to it!).

A basic survival kit is always worth carrying though. It's so little but can do so much. Nearly thought I was describing something else there!

[Grim]

Pictures work fine by me..
This is some sweet camo
http://80.232.32.102/Temp_Pictures/489465-Preview.jpg

By the way Marcus did/do you have problems with condensation inside the "original"" jerven? I'm currently using the thermo, as I think this is a much better piece altough it's a bit bigger. But fitæs perfectly into the Recon back or escape back..

[Marsuitor]

Heh, you're getting f'ed up piccies as well! :lol:
Reckon they're tired of people linking the pictures and put autochanging URL's in...

Anyway, condensation was an occasional issue, but only if i had my head inside the bag aswell. During summer it was never a problem as it was warm anyway, and it wouldn't develop that much. During winter however having your head inside was no-go, as the condensation would sometimes freeze. Would instead keep myself minus head inside, and cover my top up with my balaclava, "jegerlue" and/or the "maske, ekstremt kaldt" if temerature said so.
I'm more of an "all of nothing" type, preferring either the original for emergency sleeping bag and casual shelter, or the thermo extreme for a full fledged sleeping bag with all the other additional features. I find the thermo and thermo extreme don't have that much difference in size and weight when stuffed and compressed.

[JunglistSoldier]

I've been thouight that a soldier should be prepeared to survuve for 48h. What do I need to survive 48h? Bullets and h20. However - why risk anything? Firesteel/matches/etc. always on my person, and the trangia burner in my gear. That way I can carry some freeze-dried soups for some quick energy. A few pieces of choclate, COMPASS & MAP of the AO, no dry clothes but a pair of gloves and a balaclava. FFD/IFAK ALWAYS! cam&mozzie cream. Knives.. I currently carry a gerber multiplier, a leatherman wave and a SOG folder at different locations throughout my equipment. Paracord and zipties take up little room but has a thousand uses. Any gear you need to repair a malfunctioning weapon and OFCOURSE - any mission essential gear. If your an engineer, makesure you have your crimpers and caps with you etc.

In my opinion, statr with what you NEED - bullets and water - and go from there.

[Flagg]

Just because you can carry 2X the load does not mean that you should...
You should consult w/ your command about what will be required for carry (at all times) and what will be mission essential equipment.

I think this is quite important.

I'm still learning as I'm going...but I've already learned the very valuable lesson of "an ounce is an ounce".

The best analogy is running in boots compared to running with featherweight cross-trainers......not a huge amount of difference in weight carried....but tell that to your hamstrings and quadraceps after a couple of thousand strides.

A couple of things I'm pretty sure weren't covered yet:

folding hand-saw(instead of full-size knife which I'll likely never use).....quite useful in close country

Sewing Kit.....ALMOST weightless....and useful as emergency suturing instead of just maintaining a well tailored gucci appearance in the bush.

Cleaning kit for rifle.....BUT eliminating all non-essential bits and pieces

Spare timepiece...in case this wasn't already mentioned....I wouldn't want to be fashionably late

4x Mini-Monocular (open country only).....worth the few ounces to see what's going on

"Tactical Toothbrush" basically a regular toothbrush with much of the carry handle cut off....leaving just enough for leverage...some airlines offer cool little toothbrushes...just have to cam them if they're white....I can't go anywhere unless my pearly whites are shining

space/foil blanket......"practically" weightless

The rest of my webbing/personal kit has largely been mentioned and changes with the circumstances.

[grabie_bis]

space/foil blanket

i really dont find it so useful.. :backhand:

[Flagg]

A guy in my platoon took a bad spill on a slope a few months back during an exercise.....about an hour after the temp dropped about 10C and the rain picked up.......he quickly developed shock/hypothermia symptoms to go along with a seperated shoulder......our packs were farther up the slope with the rest of the platoon.....it kept him warm until we could get him in a bivvy bag while he awaited pickup, use #1

#2 signalling
#3 potable water catchment
#4 emergency shelter
#5 wrapping my webbing with it to use as an improvised floatation device
#6 I've always wanted to have a bit of kit "developed by the rocket scientists at NASA" other than TANG...you know...as a conversation starter

I agree it's FAR from being the most commonly used bit of kit I carry, but weight/size(unopened) is practically non-existent.

[Sabre]

folding hand-saw(instead of full-size knife which I'll likely never use).....quite useful in close country

Very useful...

...great for clearing enough space in a bush for an OP. A lot cleaner and quieter than snapping, plus they can tackle some quite hefty branches too.

[grabie_bis]

not so many trees in Spanish boxes so as to need it. anyway an excellent piece of kit in center Europe.

[SamHamam]

This is the UK offical SOP,a good place to start:

http://www.atra.mod.uk/atra/INFBATTSCH/itcwales/Structure/Junior_Tactics_Company/KIT_LIST.htm